Advanced Topics › Communication Methods › XCF

XCF

The z/OS Cross System Coupling Facility (XCF) communication method is similar to CTCONLY; however, the virtual control file (VCF) is passed from the master system to client systems through the XCF.

Note: XCF is not available in CA MIM for z/VM complexes.

Benefits

• Provides high performance, especially for CA MII sites
• Provides RMF reporting for optimizing XCF signaling and messaging
• No CTC devices are directly allocated to the CA MIM address space
• Allows for backup master system in case of master system failure
• Is not subject to contention delays associated with DASD I/O
• Requires no coupling facility structure control file
• Requires no shared DASD control file

Requirements

• All systems in the MIMplex must be in a single sysplex
• At least one CA MIM address space defined to manage the virtual control file (VCF)
• At least one checkpoint file must be defined on each system in the MIMplex
• CA Common Services for z/OS